Business Writing Mastering others others and others

Have you ever found yourself hesitating when choosing between "other's," "others," and "others'" in your writing? These similar-looking variations of "other" can be confusing, but using them incorrectly might compromise your professional image. Let's clarify these terms once and for all to ensure flawless business communication.

Understanding the Fundamentals: Singular, Plural, and Possessive Forms

The key to distinguishing these terms lies in grasping singular, plural, and possessive concepts:

• Singular possessive: Indicates "belonging to another" - uses "other's"
• Plural: Refers to "additional people or things" - uses "others"
• Plural possessive: Means "belonging to other people or things" - uses "others'"

Detailed Breakdown of Each Form

1. Other's (Singular Possessive)

"Other's" represents the possessive form of the singular noun "other," equivalent to "the other's." It typically denotes something belonging to another individual or object.

Examples:

• They will correct each other's work. (Here, "each other" is singular, requiring "other's" to show mutual possession)
• I don't want to use other's umbrella. (Referring to a single person's umbrella)

Note: Ensure the modified noun is singular and indicates ownership when using "other's."

2. Others (Plural)

"Others" serves as the plural form of "other," referring to "additional people" or "additional things." It functions primarily as a pronoun replacing multiple instances of "other."

Examples:

• She has to consider others' feelings. ("Others" represents multiple people)
• They have to wait for the others. (Referring to additional people)

Note: "Others" cannot directly modify nouns and should stand alone or follow prepositions.

3. Others' (Plural Possessive)

"Others'" constitutes the plural possessive form, equivalent to "the others'." It indicates ownership by multiple "others."

Example:

• At the park, I am bound to see others' dogs. (The dogs belong to multiple people)

Note: This form appears less frequently, as "other people's" often sounds more natural in many contexts.

Practical Application: Determining the Correct Form

Follow these steps to select the appropriate term:

1. Assess number: Determine whether "other" refers to one entity (singular) or multiple (plural)
2. Evaluate possession: Decide if you need to show ownership (possessive) or simply indicate additional items (non-possessive)
3. Consider natural phrasing: Some grammatically correct options might sound unnatural in certain contexts

Common Pitfalls and Recommendations

• Mixing "others" and "other's": Remember that "others" is plural and can't modify nouns directly, while "other's" can
• Overusing "others'": "Other people's" often provides a more natural alternative
• Ignoring context: Always consider the specific situation when choosing between forms

The Special Case of "Each Other's"

This unique construction indicates mutual possession between two parties:

• They love each other's company.
• They respect each other's opinions.

Important: Use "one another's" when referring to relationships among more than two entities.

Real-World Example from Journalism

Consider this excerpt demonstrating proper usage:

"She and Ferrara adore each other. They kiss each other's cheeks. They hold hands. They giggle."

Here, "each other's" correctly modifies "cheeks" to show mutual action between two individuals.

Conclusion: Rules and Flexibility

Mastering these variations requires understanding number and possession concepts while considering contextual appropriateness. With this knowledge, you can communicate more precisely and professionally in all written business contexts.